ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST:
EVALUATION OF INDIAN EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR ENTRY TO HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES:
The evaluation in Britain as given by the National Academic Recognition Centre is as follows:
Secondary school certificates awarded on completion of standard X
Matriculation Certificate, Secondary School Certificate, All India Secondary School Certificate, Indian Certificate of Secondary Education are generally considered to be below GCSE standard.
Higher secondary school certificates awarded on completion of standards XI or XII
Indian School Certificate (ISC), Intermediate Certificate, Higher School Certificate (HSC), Higher Secondary Certificate, All India Senior School Certificate if awarded at Standard XI, may be considered to approach GCSE standard. If awarded at Standard XII, is considered comparable to GCSE standard (grades A, B and C) on a subject-for-subject basis. Students with excellent results in the standard XII examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and the Indian Council School Examinations (ICSE), and other State Boards are considered for admission to undergraduate courses in all universities except Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and London School of Economics. A good aggregate at CBSE is above 75% aggregate.
Higher education
Bachelor of Arts/Science/Commerce may be considered to satisfy the general entrance requirements of British higher education institutions.
Bachelor degree (when awarded from a central university or a university with departments recognized as centers of advanced study) and Bachelor of Science/Engineering/Technology degrees are generally considered comparable to British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree. Exceptionally bright students with very high grades may be considered for admission to postgraduate study.
Bachelor of Science/Engineering/Technology (when awarded from an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) is generally considered comparable to British Bachelor (Honors) degree standard.
Master of Arts/Science/Commerce is generally considered comparable to British (Ordinary) degree standard. Students with very high grades may be considered for admission to postgraduate study.
Master degree when awarded from a central university and from the Universities of Mumbai, Chennai and Osmania and Master of Science/Engineering /Technology are generally considered comparable to British Bachelor (Honors) degree standard.
Master of Technology/Science (Engineering) when awarded from an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore or a university with departments recognized as Centers of Advanced Study are generally considered comparable to British Master degree standard.
GCE and GCSE FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE BRITAIN
Overseas students wishing to take GCE (or GCSE) examinations can study in their own country and take the examinations in an overseas centre nominated by the concerned university board The GCSE examination offered in schools in Britain is generally not available overseas because of its emphasis on practical work and continuous assessment. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate has developed an International GCSE (IGCSE) which is available in a growing number of centers overseas. The examination boards are also continuing to offer GCE O-level for students overseas. GCE O-level and IGCSE are recognized worldwide.
GCE and IGCSE examinations in India
The British Council Division (BCD) of the British High Commission in India provides facilities to take GCE examinations of the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council (ULEAC), twice a year in January and June, at its four regional centers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. In certain circumstances arrangements are made for students to take the examinations for the GCE Boards of other universities also. These are:
- Associated Examining Board, Stag Hill House, Guilford, Surrey, GV2 5XJ
- Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations, Ewart Place, Summer town Oxford OX 2782
- Cambridge University Local Examination Syndicate, Hills Road Cambridge CBI 2EU.
The British Council Division does not provide tuition for the examinations. The following are a few guidelines for candidates intending to study for GCE examinations in India.
Government of India permission - Indian nationals can take the examinations only on receipt of written permission from the Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development. Application for permission should be addressed to:
The Under Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, (Department of Education), U-3 Section, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi - 110 001
Such permission is normally granted to the following:
- Candidates whose mother or father (or both) is a foreign national
- Candidates whose parents are in diplomatic service, or in any other business or service that involves living abroad for considerable periods of time at a stretc
- Candidates who have received part of their education abroad and find it difficult to switch over to courses available in India
- Candidates who wish to go to Britain for a course which is not available in India
Government of India permission is necessary only for Indian residents in India.
Subjects - It is not possible for British Council offices to conduct examinations in all O and A-level subjects. Students should therefore enquire from the respective centers to find out if the subjects they wish to take are offered, particularly if subjects involve practical examinations.
Examination fees - Two types of examination fees are payable:
- University fees, to be paid in pounds sterling by banker's draft drawn on a London bank
- Local fees, to be paid in rupees by banker's draft.
Details of fees can be obtained from the British Council offices.
Regulations and syllabuses - Copies of the "Regulations and Syllabuses" can be obtained from the University of London School Examinations Board, Publications Department, 50 Gordon Square, London WCI OPJ. Copies are also available for consultation in the British Council Libraries. Photocopies of relevant sections of the syllabuses can be made.
Entry Form - Entry forms and instructions for January examinations are generally available from British Council offices in early August of the preceding year. For June examinations they are available by the end of November of the preceding year. The completed entry form should be returned by the first week of September for January examinations and the last week of December for June examinations. Entry forms and detailed instructions can be obtained by writing directly to the British Council Division offices.
Coaching - The British Council Division does not provide coaching for GCE examinations. A number of schools, including those listed below; currently prepare students for these examinations.
- The British School [IGCSE and A-Level],Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110 021
- Calcutta International School,18 Lee Road, Calcutta - 700 020
- Woodstock School(O and A-Levels), Mussorie - 248 179, UP
- Hebron School ;Washington Hall, Ootacamund - 642 001[run courses for GCSE with 3 British examining boards but not the University of London]
- Mussoorie International School; Mussorie - 248179, UP.[IGCSE and A-Level]
- New Era School, Panchgani - 421 805; Maharashtra [O-Level]
The Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges lists six accredited colleges that offer the GCE `A' level courses through correspondence. When corresponding with these colleges the candidate is advised to specify the examination board, e.g., University of London Examinations and Assessment Council
- The Civil Service Correspondence School, Ware, Herts SG12 9
- Henley College Home study Unit
- Henley College Coventry, Henley Road, Bell Green, Coventry CV2 IED
- Mercers College, Ware, Herts SG12 9B
- National Extension College, 18 Brook-lands Avenue, Cambridge CB2 2H
- The Open Learning Centre, 24 King Street, Carmarthen, DYFED SA31 1B
- The Rapid Results College,Tuition House, 27/37 St George's Road, London SW19 4DS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Universities and Colleges in UK are independent institutions which do not depend on the Government for entry regulations. Each is free to decide which overseas qualification it would recognize. The National Academic Recognition Centre at Manchester has worked out equivalence's for the purpose of setting guidelines. There is, however, no automatic equivalence between British and Indian or other qualifications but they generally refer to established equivalence standards.
Students from India will find that their school leaving certificates are regarded as the approximate equivalent of GCSE's and that they may be required to take the `A' level exams, if their AISSCE aggregate is less than 75%, to be able to apply to most British institutions.
English language courses
Entry is flexible and offered on the basis of previous ability.
Boarding schools and colleges
Independent schools admit students at the ages of 7, 11, 13, or 16. For entry at 11 or 13 years students have to take the Common Entrance Examination. Schools admitting students for 'A' levels may take a Maths and English Test (for international students)
Career based courses
GNVG courses and vocational 'A' levels require 4-5 GCSE. HND requires 'A' levels or equivalent qualification (see next section) work experience/drawing portfolio may be required for practical courses.
Degree courses
3 'A' levels
Entry requirements for undergraduate courses
Students in UK are admitted to universities on the basis of their GCSE and GCE grades. They have to meet the general entrance requirements, i.e., pass grades in 5 GCSE subjects with two at least at A. Pass in 4 and `A' in 3 are also accepted. Very often pass in English, Maths/Science is expected. Many universities find 3 A passes acceptable. Since 1989 all universities consider 2 AS subjects as equivalent to one A subject.
In terms of course requirements specific subjects are desirable. For subjects such as education, politics and social studies and law AS levels are required as course requirements. While AS levels may not fulfill course requirements for medicine, mathematics etc., other acceptable qualifications are the International Baccalaureate which some international schools offer in India.
International Baccalaureate, an alternative to `A' levels, is a 2-year course. It covers a wider range of subjects than `A' levels. Study of 6 subjects including 2 languages (native and second language) is required.
Address for reference:
International Baccalaureate office, University of London, Institute of Education 18 Wabtern Square, London - WCIH ONS.
In UK, Business and Technology Education awards, higher national certificate (HNC) and higher national diplomas are also accepted by universities. In Britain, however, possessing recognized qualifications does not ensure a place in a higher education institution. Institutions desire specific grades. In fact by this rigid process British institutions ensure a high success rate in their courses. Recently, however, British universities and higher education colleges have displayed a more flexible attitude in considering equivalent non- standard and overseas qualification of applicants to UK degree courses. An outstanding All India Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (AISSCE) record of CBSE may be considered as equivalent to `A' levels for entry to university courses. For BTEC (HND and HNC) generally All India Senior Secondary Certificate Exam (AISSCE) results are acceptable for entry.
For students pursuing ISC the general requirements are: 5 subject passes (2 GCE A-levels and 3 GCSE at grade C minimum) or 4 subject passes (3 GCE A-levels and 1 GCSE at grade C minimum) or
Equivalent Indian qualifications: The most comprehensive picture to entry requirements is supplied by UCAS official guide. The only authoritative statement of entry requirements is the formal offer from the university.
Entry criteria for various subjects of study - Entry criteria are influenced by supply and demand for places. Over the years there has been variation in demands for certain courses, e.g., computer studies, communication and media studies seem to have grown in demand. When demand grows for a particular course it is but obvious that entry becomes competitive. Many institutions prefer to take in BTEC national diploma or International Baccalaureate students.
Universities are looking for people who fit into the demands of higher education. By inviting applications from students across the globe they aim to select students who can benefit from higher education.
Universities expect specific grades or courses for specific subjects, e.g., maths at the A level is required for all engineering courses. For Business and Finance, Maths and English are considered. For language course A-level in the specific language is required. Medicine, veterinary and dental science requires science courses at A-levels. Physical sciences require mathematics and the subject you are applying for. Entry requirements for humanities vary from subject to subject. For economics you may require Maths at A-level while for history it would be A-level in history. For psychology and philosophy, maths and English at the O-level may be needed. Architecture entrants need to have studied Maths at A-level. (UCAS Handbook has latest details in terms of entry requirements.)
Postgraduate program
Undergraduate degree in the relevant subject. Conversion to another area is possible by doing a subject conversion course.
For PhD in Philosophy - PG in Philosophy in Britain is required.
TESTS OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY:
Most institutions in UK do not accept an international student without evidence of proficiency in the English language. Without fluency in the English language a student may not be able to cope in a British setting. However, there is no uniformity in the qualification and grades universities might be looking for.
British Council students’ services division guides students for proficiency tests. Many overseas students with inadequate preparation in the English Language fail in their first year examination and have to repeat the year.
English as a foreign language (EFL)
Cambridge EFL examinations are run by the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES). The range of Cambridge EFL examinations include specialist exams in Business English, English for Academic Purposes, test for young learners and a suite of certificates and diplomas for language teachers. The examination covers skills like - Listening, speaking, reading & writing.
International English language testing system (IELTS)
The IELTS test is the usual means by which the British Council and even the International Development Program of Australian Universities and Colleges measure the language skills of students from overseas who need to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. Its purpose is to find out if your proficiency in English will meet the demands of a course where the teaching is done which is entirely in English.
The test covers the language skills needed for courses of study and uses the kinds of text and tasks you may find on a course in Britain. It is not, however, a test of knowledge of any particular subject which you intend to study.
The test is made up of four subtests taken in the following order:
1. Listening (30 minutes)
2. Reading (60 minutes)
3. Writing (60 minutes)
4. Speaking (10-15 minutes)
Modules - IELTS modules are as follows:
Academic reading and writing - This test helps to assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on academic modules.
General training - reading and writing - This is not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes. It is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to complete their secondary education or to undertake work experience or training programs not at degree level. For the test a fees of over Rs. 3500 has to be paid.
Specimen material packs are available at British Council offices which include a book on How to Prepare for IELTS.
Repeating the IELTS - Students cannot retake the test until three months after their first sitting. They have to produce their previous test report form for details to be checked.
Information about IELTS Testing can be procured from,
IELTS Administrator,
British Deputy High Commission,
British Council Division.
AGE REQUIREMENTS:
There are 2 categories of students accepted in UK. 17-18 years old and `Mature students' who are of 19-25 year old.
`Mature students' - A student who has completed conventional school/college education and seeks admission to a UK university at the age of 21 years or more is a mature student. He can follow the normal application process. Mature students are also those who do not possess standard entry requirements but have alternative qualification/work experience.
